Arsenal want to sign a new goalkeeper when the summer transfer window opens but their top target, Joan Garcia, is being eyed by Mikel Arteta’s former club, Barcelona
Barcelona are ready to make their move for Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia. The Gunners have been placed on red alert after it emerged that Barca plan to trigger the Espanyol goalkeeper’s €25million (£21m) release clause in the coming days.
Garcia, 24, has enjoyed a sensational 12 months, winning the gold medal with Spain at the Olympic Games in Paris before starring for Espanyol. The Spaniard’s heroics helped the cash-strapped Catalan side avoid relegation from La Liga but their rivals from across town have come knocking.
Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona will try to sign Garca next week, as they bid to resolve their uncertain goalkeeping situation. Club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen has just returned after eight months out with a knee injury and his replacement, Wojciech Szczesny, sees his contract expire on June 30.
Barca have offered Szczesny a new one-year deal but the Pole is yet to respond, as he mulls over going back into retirement. Meanwhile, third-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena isn’t in manager Hansi Flick’s plans.
That’s prompted Flick and sporting director Deco to agree on pursuing the highly-rated Garcia. But Arsenal could disrupt their move, with Mikel Arteta and Co. also targeting a goalkeeper.
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The Gunners signed Brazilian shot-stopper Neto on loan from Bournemouth after selling Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton last August. Neto, who was unable to play in the Carabao Cup, made just one appearance and will head back to the south coast after their season ended on Sunday.
Garcia, who’s under contract at Espanyol until 2028, has also been linked with Aston Villa, who are planning to sign two goalkeepers this summer. The 24-year-old spoke about his future earlier this week, telling Relevo: “Everyone knows a little about the situation I’m in and the situation the club is in.
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“Whatever happens, if I leave, I’ll be proud to leave the team still in La Liga. I hope my family can continue coming to the stadium with a team in the top-flight and I hope that continues for many years.”
Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez even believes that Garcia is comparable to Lionel Messi. “Joan Garcia will be a world reference, without a doubt,” Gonzalez hailed. “Hopefully, because he deserves it, by level and by person. This is the same as when Barcelona had Messi. There was a stuck game and he solved it.”
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